The state has been in contact with New Process Gear in an effort to stall a threatened closure of the DeWitt auto parts plant.

"We understand their problems and we're willing to work to overcome them," Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Wednesday in an impromptu news conference following his speech to the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast Luncheon in Syracuse. "We will work very hard to preserve these jobs."

Spitzer wouldn't provide any details. New Process gear is owned by Magna International Inc., which is in the midst of contract talks with United Auto Workers Local 624 and 2149.

UAW leaders say the company in December threatened to close the DeWitt plant, putting 2,700 people out of work, if it couldn't cut wages and benefits. Workers are paid under the provisions of the Chrysler contract, as agreed to when that company sold New Process Gear to Magna in 2004.

It is up to Magna, the UAW and Cerberus, the new owner of Chrysler, to resolve the issues at the plant, Spitzer said. The three are scheduled to meet Friday in Detroit, Neil Falcone, the UAW area director, told WSYR-TV in an interview broadcast Tuesday.